Dump

/dʌmp/

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
4 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

To get rid of something by putting it somewhere, usually carelessly.

/dʌmp/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To deposit or dispose of something in a careless or hurried way.

She dumped the groceries on the counter.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're holding a bunch of toys, and you just *dump* them all on the floor to make a big mess. It's like letting something go without being careful.

👶 For kids: To put something down quickly and without care.

More Examples

2

The construction crew dumped the rubble in the designated area.

3

He dumped his girlfriend after the argument.

How It's Used

General

"He dumped the trash in the bin."

Business

"The company was accused of dumping toxic waste."

2

To end a relationship with someone.

/dʌmp/

verbnegativeBeginner
General

To get rid of a person or relationship abruptly.

She dumped him because he was always late.

💡 Simply: Like when you decide you don't want a toy anymore and you just put it away, *dumping* someone is like telling them you don't want to be with them anymore.

👶 For kids: To stop being friends or in a relationship with someone.

More Examples

2

He was devastated after she dumped him.

3

After a heated argument, she decided to dump him.

How It's Used

Relationships

"He dumped her after only a few dates."

Tip:Think of *dumping* a relationship as a sudden disposal, like getting rid of something.
3

A place where rubbish is left.

/dʌmp/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A place where refuse is left.

The city is trying to find a new dump for its waste.

💡 Simply: Imagine a big pile of trash or a place where people take their trash, that's a *dump*.

👶 For kids: A place where trash is left.

More Examples

2

The dump smelled of rotting garbage.

3

The seagulls were swarming around the dump.

How It's Used

Environment

"The landfill is a large dump."

Tip:Picture a landfill filled with *dumps*, where all the trash goes.
4

A sudden drop or collapse.

/dʌmp/

nounnegativemedium
General

A sudden fall or collapse.

The price of the stock took a sharp dump after the news.

💡 Simply: When something falls down quickly or drops in price, that's a *dump*.

👶 For kids: A sudden fall.

More Examples

2

There was a dump in the market.

3

The sudden dump of snow caused travel problems.

How It's Used

Finance

"The stock market experienced a sudden dump."

Tip:Think of a sudden *dump* of water, collapsing downward and quickly.

Idioms & expressions

dump truck

A truck designed to transport loose material, such as sand or gravel, and to dump it easily.

"The construction crew used a dump truck to haul away the debris."

dump on someone

To burden someone with one's problems or responsibilities, often unfairly.

"He always dumps his problems on his friends."

From Middle English *dumpen* (to pour out), likely of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse *dumpa* (to fall heavily).

The word's usage has been consistent since its introduction, covering various contexts.

Memory tip

Imagine you're quickly and carelessly *dumping* something heavy, like bags of groceries, to get them out of your hands.

Word Origin

LanguageScandinavian
Original meaning

"to pour out"

dump trashdump wastedump rubbledump someone (relationship)dump truck

Common misspellings

dumpt

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written